Govindas

Great food and ambience. Lots of options for vegetarians. The cauliflower pakora is simply the best. Clean venue. Friendly staff. Dine on the balcony if possible because the interior can get warm and noisy. The cinema hall has great reclining couches with lots of pillows but it can get frigid so bring a blanket or jacket! Great for date nights!

Was always great but now that the food is kept hot it is even better. Tasty, fresh dishes. Then take your shoes off and lay on the cushions and watch a movie. Take a blanket as can be a bit chilly. Great date night. Great value.

Oh my god this place was amazing! The food was so good and varied and I loved that being in the movie theater felt like being at my own house! Absolutely would return and recommend to friends.

Edit: best and only great veg food in sydney (out of most famous ones on happycow, went to about 15 places) Great tasting buffet. 28$ for dinner buffet. 5 or so good to great tasting well thought out mains, a curry, amazing and scrumptious fried cauliflower and potato fries of good quality, and the best salads! I saw the quality of the ingredients when I tasted the salad. The vinegar was of good quality and made the whole experience better! I've traveled around europe and ate many many vegan buffets, but this one is by far much much better quality of food, and tastes better because of better attention to flavor, ingredients, and customer experience. Most of the food was seasoned perfectly and felt balanced. It was a great foodie experience! By the way, I disliked all the vegan food I ate this week in sydney if I include quality and taste, but this restaurant is the hope for sydney quality vegan food for middle-class people! As they say in the land down under, top food! Will return on later trips. Great service from reception and kitchen staff! I am an extreme critic, and if I say it's good, it's probably good for most. I extremely recommend this to people who like all kinds of food, including salads. If you like fried, Indian, cooked veggies, salads, and carbs, you will love this place. Only one main with dairy. They make their food fresh, you can obviously feel it from the home quality food, it's really good! Thanks to the staff!! Not overpriced and price to ratio for desserts is surprisingly honest and good! Compared to shift eatery, food is much better price and of a higher quality experience! Great moody interior for dates and high quality feel. Top restaurant and staff!

3.9/5* The Feed Punchers visited a very unique punch destination, Govindas restaurant and cinema. For $28, there is an all you can eat, vegetarian buffet, incorporating fresh ingredients with a strong Indian influence. At the start of the buffet line, there were options of white rice, brown rice, pots of soup and dahl. Next came salads, pasta and a variety of vegetable curries, which utilised predominantly; chickpeas, lentils, potato’s and tofu as the staple ingredient. The stand out favourite for the Feed Punchers was the crispy deep fried cauliflower pakoras, which were golden and perfectly crispy. They were well paired with the tzatziki mint like sauce and the chilli chutney. Overall, there was a great variety of fresh-vegetarian food in a buffet style. The perfect way to get a feed right before watching a movie. Thankyou Govindas!

Not a massive selection because the focus is on ensuring that the buffet is good quality and the food is fresh. Everything I had was delicious. Take small portions at a time and eat until elegantly satisfied. Will definitely be back.

Very casual with a good atmosphere. A vegetarian heaven. The food is homely and very tasty. Buffet style. Parking can be quite difficult. It is not suitable for people with mobility issues as there are two (2) flights of stairs which are quite challenging. Worth a visit.

It's a self-service buffet. The atmosphere is dark n chilling. Can't complain about food, esp salad. They really have good salad.

Pretty good vegan buffet, only $28 all you can eat, the server will come clear your plate and is very nice. Didn't really ask if we were thirsty ever. Kind of low lighting inside. Could've used more spicy food options.

Came here for dinner and a movie and had high expectations because everyone had said how good it was--but I'd say it's the most bland Indian food I've had. Add some curry powder, turmeric, even some salt, anything to give it more flavor. I'm a vegetarian and can cook better. I keep it at 4 stars though because of how comfy the theater part was, the amazing desert, and the price.

Get in touch with your inner hippie and head to Govindas. Govindas is a vegan restaurant and movie screening space. When you walk upstairs you will be greeted by a Vegan buffet...which changes all the time but always has the following staples - delicious Indian dahl soup, vegetable curry, baked penne pasta, lentil pie or potato au gratin, cauliflower pakoras, potato wedges, rice, poppadums, bread & a variety of salads. The foods nice, it feels good eating it like you're getting good karma by enjoying it. It's not the most amazing food, but its quite delicious if you're into all things Vegan. Post dinner head to the theatrette which feels like an extension of Byron Bay. Make yourself comfy on the pillows and lie down and enjoy the experience of taking in a movie whilst lying next to strangers.... in a way it feels like camping and there's something quite communal and warm about the whole experience.... Now you can have a meal or watch a movie separately, but i suggest you do both as that's half the fun. Dinner is $19.80 and a further $10.00 for the movie/dinner package. Movie only tickets are $13.90. Definitely worthwhile trying - could make for an excellent date night.

Me actively seek out a vegan restaurant? Not bloody likely. So why in the world would I come to a vegan buffet dinner? Because this place defines what dinner and a movie can be. I can always great an extra couple portions of meat at another meal to make up for it... but coming here for a movie is something to experience. With only 2 movie showings a night, show up a little early, grab a great Indian dinner, and then lay back (yes... lay back) on the soft cushions and enjoy the movie. This is especially nice on a date night as there are no arm rests to get in the way... :-) Besides.... at $30 each for dinner and a movie, this is one of the best value dates you can go on ;-)

I have to admit, I really don't understand the hype for this place. As someone who eats meat almost every single meal, I was genuinely excited to try a place that apparently did delicious vegetarian fare. I sampled most of the things available, and found most of it to be a lot more bland than I expected which was a disappointment. The pakora wasn't too bad, but again I felt like it could have been better - I remember eating delicious veggie pakora in the past and this wasn't close! The cinema was cool though - we were stuck down the front so it wasn't the best view, but I was pretty comfortable!

You don't typically find an establishment like this in San Francisco, or the U.S. in general for that matter. This may be the reason why my overall experience fared better than that of most Sydney locals. Vegan dinner buffet (Indian food) + movie on comfy couches = success! And it's all around $30 per person! Dinner is all-you-can eat. Oh, the guy sitting next to us ate 7 full plates of food. I was very impressed, and a little scared for him for the next day.... But I digress.... Food was generally tasty, but nothing to write home about. After dinner, there is a group procession to the upstairs cinema, where comfy couches/recliners await you. It was a little awkward sharing a couch with complete strangers, but we got used to it. Best part of all, you can cuddle with your date! Unless you both ate too much, or would rather cuddle the strangers.... Great for date night, and an overall memorable experience!

Why aren't all movie theaters like this? I seriously stuffed myself at dinner and loved that I could lie down in the movie after. I went with my omnivore boyfriend and vegan sister and the food received great reviews all round. An excellent selection of vegan and vego food including dahl, curries, fried cauliflower (so good), salads and more. If you're looking for authentic, unbelievable Indian food then no, this probably isn't at the top of the list but it's still very tasty and satisfying. I understand the menu changes a little every night but every time I've been the food's been tasty. The service is also super friendly which I love. Definitely great value for money and it's really nice to be able to walk upstairs, lie down and enjoy a movie. I think it would be a great option for a date night! You absolutely need to visit at least once and try it out.

This was my 3rd visit to Govinda's and I'm getting more comfortable and familiar with the the format It was a Wednesday evening and the restaurant was packed with a lot of young peeps enjoying the food prior to lining up for a movie which is part of the offering For $19.80 you can eat all you want from a buffet - there's a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes Proceeding with vegan only dishes, I started with the Dahl soup and then moved to stacking up the plate with brown rice, delicious vegan kofta balls, spiced vegetable curry, tofu, broccoli and pumpkin salad and quinoa bean salad - couldn't resist adding some battered cauliflower and potato wedges Draining a litre of sparkling water I then went again with another plate of the same fare - even though the stomach was v full I couldn't resist another Kofta ball and some battered cauliflower Yep - I had over- eaten for sure and needed to walk around Darlinghurst for close to an hour to settle This is a great place for plant based eaters at a good price - no fuss, lovely food and very relaxed

Stuff yourself at dinner? Check Roll yourself onto some couches? Check Watch a great movie? Check All for $30! What I love about Govindas is that it's a great value and the movies are pretty current. The food is outstanding (all vegetarian, but you'd hardly notice the missing meat while you're chowing down on curry or the amazing fried cauliflower) and the movie theatre resembles your living room, but with a much bigger screen. It's the perfect place to pig out with friends while wearing stretchy yoga pants, or a great option for a date where you want to get a bit snuggly.

We were invited by a couple to grab dinner and a movie here on a Saturday night. I am a new vegetarian but an old movie slut so being able to both and be horizontal during the movie was pretty rad. I would consider Govindas to be a real 'bang for your buck' establishment after consuming the buffet. I wouldn't come here for my mattar paneer or gobi masala cravings, but I would if I was down on the dollar and needed some cheering up. The popodums were crunchy and the food was spicy. The only thing that threw me off was the pasta dish??? I suppose if you're going to watch a movie and you don't eat Indian food that's what you choose. We viewed Wild which stars Reese Witherspoon and her trek on a life changing experience. It was meh, but that review is for another website. The theater gets a bit chilly so wear comfortable clothing and try not to go in large groups. Each "row" can fit 6 people. Have fun!

I haven't eaten at the restaurant here yet (was a bit put off by some reviews) but love going to see a movie here. You get to lay out and kick off your shoes and relax. Tickets are $14.90 which is a total deal compared to paying for Gold Class at the cinema. They do a good job of mixing what's currently showing. I think they typically have three sessions per evening and will show both current blockbusters and as well as less common indie flicks. Seating might be tough with a bigger group, especially if you're late. It's not a huge space. Very intimate. You have to give this place a try at least once.

The movie theater here is actually pretty great - comfortable loungey couch type seating. Kick off your shoes and enjoy a movie (preferably one that you aren't likely to fall asleep in). Minus stars for the restaurant. A) It's vegetarian. And I need my meat. B) It's not that great for vegetarian! It's a buffet and a bit ghetto... Guess that's what you get for the cheap cheap price of $30 - includes buffet dinner and your movie ticket!

My friend and I went here one night for the movie and dinner combo and loved it! All vegetarian/vegan Indian food and tons of dishes to choose from! There were also a few other dishes that were non-Indian such as a vegan lasagne, different pasta salads etc. This place is all you can eat so I definitely recommend going!

Would definitely recommend Govinda's. They seem to have seriously upped there buffet game from fine to great, and I'm totally here for it. The restaurant has a chill vibe. Go for their dinner & a movie deal and you can chow down on their scrumptious vegetarian Indian food, before heading up stairs and crashing out on the cushions in their cozy little theatre to watch a recent flick. Two thumbs up.

For me there is nothing like a good slab of steak to be washed down with a glass of red. Unfortunately Govindas Cinema and Restaurant is vegetarian and does not serve alcohol. Not that I need the former to survive and Govindas is a great little place to grab something to eat from the 'international buffet', wash it down with a lemonade then lie back on the bean bags and enjoy a movie in 'The Movie Room'. It's nice and chilled and the little boutique cinema is a pretty cool place to watch a flick. I feel nice and relaxed and slightly healthy after my afternoon here that I almost want to reward myself with a drink!

I'm not a vegetarian and I'm certainly not a vegan, but I'm nothing if not open minded, so going to Govinda's isn't too much of a stretch for my carnivore-minded self. The food is also very good, which helps distract you from the lack of flesh on the plate, although I'd stay away from the non-alcoholic wine - if you're going to be a dry restaurant, don't try and fool me with virgin vino. Once you've had your fill of the vegan delights downstairs, then head upstairs to the living room-cum-cinema. The films vary depending on the night, but I reckon most people go for the novelty of lying down on comfortable bed-seats while out in public. They're very comfortable, and makes a change from your usual cinema seating. Although, it can be a bit tricky not having a nap, especially if the film isn't up to scratch.

I had such high expectations for this place. My vegetarian friend had been having hallucinations about curried potato all week, so we pretty much sprinted into this restaurant/cinema/yoga hangout. The restaurant has a pretty nice layout and the waitresses waft around in pretty Indian outfits. The move we wanted to see was at 7.30 which meant we had to eat at 6 to make a proper meal of it. This meant I wasn't remotely hungry (though I wouldn't dream of letting this on to my vegetarian friend). The buffet didn't have quite as many options as I'd imagined and when I began to tuck in to the assorted dishes I started to question how actually Indian they were. A sort of curried pasta dish, fried potato chips and curried falafel were just some of the suspects.. The other dishes, although slightly more Indian, lacked any distinction or spice. They just turned into a kind of generic moosh on my plate. All the sadness was somewhat relieved by the post-dinner film which we watched from a horizontal position on the big squashy sofas. Ideal for digestion and entertainment!

Dinner and a move for $30! Where on earth can you get such a good deal? Well at Govindas! A Darlinghurst favourite, step into Govindas and be engulfed with the aromas of different spices and relaxed, cosy ambience. The vegan buffet, features a really good variety of foods, it's all you can eat so no excuses for not trying a bit of everything. Once you have enough to eat, roll yourself into the intimate cinema room, stake your cushion and lay back and relax while waiting for the movie to start. Always a great experience.

I don't consider myself a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination, however I was quite pleasantly surprised by the variety and taste of the food available. It's buffet style, so you get to taste a bit of everything, from cheesy potato, to broccoli and herbs and chickpeas, as well as a vege lasagna. Loved the food and the intimate candle lit dining with the poring rain outside made it far more romantic than we thought it would be! The movie deal to go along with it honestly made it a treat. Very good value for money, considering a film these days is almost the same price. I quite like the layout and cinema size as well, very intimate. I'd recommend this place for a casual date, or even with a small group of friends. One recommendation I have however, is to perhaps make the cinema seating allocated. I'm not fully sure how you'd do that considering most of it is lying down, but at the moment it's 'first-come-first-serve' which creates an awkward situation where customers need to start lining up 10 - 15 minutes prior to the film starting, and on a narrow staircase. This can be avoided and would make it a perfect night.

This is my second visit and will probably be my last. Experience watching Green Book after dinner was really bad. We went into the cinema and found two nice seats in the middle we could lie down on and there were pillows and cushions. Each row has 6 sets of them and sits 6 people. (I was told by someone who seems to be in charge) 5 minutes after the movie started, two people came late and was told to squeeze into our row with 5 people already. The guy working there was rude and blocked my view and flashed his torch in our area. My girl friend told the guy that there are seats in front and was ignored. I also pointed out that the row only seats 6 and was told that 'you just have to be considerate and you wont be able to cross your legs'. My girl friend didnt want to share pillow and cushion with a random guy so we have to move to worse seats in the middle of the movie. My suggestion is go to a proper cinema for movie... at least you know exactly where you are sitting. Broadway is very close and has reclining seats....

This is an unusual restaurant for Sydney - Indian food isn't particularly well represented by restaurants, who tend to focus on Asian cuisine more than Indian. Therefore, when I was told of an Indian restaurant in the heart of Darlinghurst, I just had to give it a go. The vibe in Govindas is edgy and quirky - casual dining downstairs, followed by the option of a movie afterwards in their upstairs movie room/lounge place. The food is delicious, although I was initially a bit disappointed after being told that it was Indian - I had visions of tikka masala and naan bread, but in actual fact, it didn't serve those type of dishes. The food changes frequently (a very good sign) to reflect availability and seasonality. However, you can be fairly sure to find their staple dishes at their buffet - cauliflower pakora, dahl soup, as well as wedges and some slightly-random-but-delicious spicy pasta dishes. I love the buffet style - enabling you to eat as much as you want/can and also meaning that you can taste a whole range of different things. On closer inspection, the cuisine as a more nomadic international vibe - but the range at least means that even fussy eaters will find dishes they like. Once you've eaten your fill, head on upstairs to watch a film in the most comfortable cinema in the world. Recline on the Dinner costs $19.80, and the film costs an extra $10 (a bargain when you consider the normal cost of a cinema ticket). They have two viewings most nights - at 7.30pm and at 9pm, so make sure you leave enough time to get your fill at the buffet before the film begins. Recline on their luxurious bed-style seats and relax! Govindas won the award for best vegetarian restaurant in 2011, giving an indication as to the deliciousness of the food. This is a great place for a date night (in fact it's become a Sydney dating-institution) but it is equally a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy a relaxing and filling evening of entertainment.

Sunday Kirtan meditation chanting and buffet vegetarian for only $10! Yes feed the spirit and tummy for only &10!

We were recommended this place by some friends and it did not disappoint. All of the dishes I tried were solidly good, so the value for your money is good here over all. Everything is vegan, if not vegetarian. We did the combination dinner and a movie, and the seating area for the movies is very comfortable. It's like being in a rich person's personal movie theater instead of a standard movie theater. This places makes for a great date night. Maybe not a first date place though - unless you like to get really cuddly on the first date.

Fantastic all-you-can-eat vegetarian food at a sensational price ($19.80 pp). Dishes on offer include curry, falafel, pasta, baked potato and deep-fried cauliflower; and there are plenty of accompaniments like salads, soups, breads, rices, dips, yoghurts and sauces. For $10 extra you can also watch a movie in the upstairs cinema.

This is a very unique, almost surreal experience. You sit in and watch a movie screened on a large screen seated on cuhsion deck chairs. The movies are usually recent releases and the place smells like Indian spices. It also is an Indian restaurant - that's what's so cool about it, as it almost has a cultish following. It's not a Hare Krishna establishment, but it certainly has the feel of one, that value and worth is something that money can't define. I liked it, personally I will be back for more - they have meditation workshops and introduce the world to Kirtan Drumming, which is very hypnotic. I watched Food Inc, a doco about manufacturing of food and there is a reason that a lot of that knowledge is not open slather. But anyhow, taking responsibility comes with maturity so it was an interesting environment to watch such a documentary. The dress is casual no one is really going to notice that you have your Prada jeans on, even though you are in Darlinghurst.

The same couple who own a bunch of Lotus Pod and Eden clothes boutiques across Sydney are also responsible for this lovely little creation. A nice combination of vegetarian food and a cosy, cushioned theatre, it's great for something a bit different to the usual dinner and drinks routine. Come just for dinner or for the movie & dinner combo, but remember to book your tickets ahead of time. The vego buffet changes slightly each night, but there's always a great dahl, pappadums and chutney on offer. There are usually two or three movie sittings, with a pretty good range to choose from, but you'll be asked to take your shoes off so remember to wear your cleanest pair of socks!

After reading such great reviews and visiting the website,I decided to go with some friends to eat some "Indian" food. First of all there is a lack of parking, so if bringing a car, be forced to park at the nearby car wash for 20 dollars. Now this doesn't seem so bad because we expected some really great food:) ... But unfortunately this is not the case:(( This "restaurant" charges 20 dollars a head for a "Indian" vegan buffet . If you have a liking for absolutely tasteless food, then this is the place for you. But if you want variety and traditional Indian food instead of food that tastes like it came out of a microwave, then seek out a proper Indian restaurant and get your money's worth. Now it's all good to have a "cinema" upstairs, charging an extra 10 dollars with your meal, but you are better relaxing off at home with a DVD, much cheaper and it's about the same quality. The one star rating I am giving is for the interesting people that came through the door which took my mind off the food for a while. So, in ending, please stop giving places like this good reviews when they don't deserve it. There are more much well deserved places. And last but not leastly, do not call yourself a restaurant and stick to your original title as a "place of worship."